Combined rail-brace and tie-plate.



0. H. COURSON. COMBINED RAIL BRAOB AND TIE PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 12, 1912.

Patented July 7, 191 1 0mm H. COURSON.

OLIVER I-I. GOURSON, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

COMBINED RAIL-BRACE AND TIE-PLATE.

racemes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 19 14..

Application filed April 12, 1912. Serial No. 690,406.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER H. CoURsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Rail- Braces and Tie-Plates, of which the following is a specification.

My invent-ion relates to rail braces, and particularly to that class known as combined rail braces and tie plates.

The object of my invention is to provide a combined rail brace and tie plate for securing and laterally bracing the rails against any force exerted laterally against the same, whereby the dangerous spreading of the rails, or any relative movement bet-ween the rails and ties, is absolutely prevented.

My invention contemplates the use of a rail chair provided with members contacting with and grasping the rail and provided with integral members adapted for positive engagement with the side of a cross tie.

In describing my invention in detail, ref erence will be made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein like characters indicate corresponding parts in the different views, and

' in which 2- Figure 1. is a perspective view showing my combined chair and tie plate secured in position on a tie, and supporting a rail. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device in position.

In the drawings 1 indicates a base or tie plate, which preferably consists of a single piece of metal, such as wrought iron, bentupon itself upon one side to form a rail brace 9, and upon the other side to form the brace 3. Obviously the tie plate and brace may be formed of separate pieces of material, but, for sake of economy and strength I prefer to form them integrally. The rail brace 2 is bent at an angle so as to conform to the shape of the rail 4, and extends upwardly over the flange 5, and web 6 thereof, and preferably, although not necessarily, terminates in a head upon which rests the under surface of the head of the rail.

The plate 1 is provided upon either side, with a plurality of laterally extending integral projections or spurs 7, provided with sharpened ends. These spurs 7 extend downwardly and inwardly and are adapted to be forcibly driven into the side of the cross ties 8.

In manufacturing my device the flange 3 is formed vertically, and extends at right angles to the plate 1, and consequently parallel with the web 6 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

In applying the device it is first placed upon the tie 8, and the edge 9 of the rail flange inserted beneath the brace 2, until said edge contacts with the inner vertical face of the brace 2. When in this position the opposite edge 10, of the rail flange 5, will pass the vertically disposed flange 3, and the whole rail flange will rest upon the plate 1. Spikes 11 are then driven into the tie, between the edge 10, and the inner face of the flange 8, as shown in Fig. 2. The flange 3 is then forced downwardly and inwardly, until itrests upon the rail flange 5, covering the spikes l1 and contacting therewith. These flanges may be turned inwardly by hammering, or by machines. At this time the spurs 7 extend outwardly and are curved backwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The spurs are adapted to be hamu cred inwardly into the ties 8, or may be forced therein by machinery. Their position after entering the tie is plainly shown in Fig. 1.

It is to be noticed that the inner edges 12, 12 of the spurs 7. extend inwardly beneath the rail. This construction is of considerable importance, since the weight of the rail prevents the spurs 7 from buckling upwardly when the spurs are driven or forced into the ties.

It will be obvious that when my device is properly positioned, relative movement between the rail and the .tie is impossible.

The braces and spurs are made of metal of suilicient tensile strength to more than withstand all the strains which they will ever be called upon to bear. Moreover I absolutely dispense with all exposed spikes. The spikes 11 may be dispensed with if necessary, without materially afl'ecting the efliciency of my device, although it is obvious that they assist in holding the rail. It is to be observed however, that said spikes are completely covered by the brace 3, and that their vertical movement is prevented thereby. The vertical movement of the rail holding spikes is materially assisted by water entering the holes adjacent the spike, causing a decay of the wood and consequent loosening of the spike. The vibrations caused by rapidly moving trains causes the spikes to be partially drawn from the holes, whereby a separation between the rails and ties is effected. My in-" vention absolutely movement. An important feature of my construction resides in the fact that the device is adapted for use upon ties of varying widths, and without any preliminary adjustment. Furthermore it is not necessary that the top of the ties'be' absolutely level, as the natural spring of the rail will preserve a straight line.

My device is not only adapted for use upon wooden ties but is especially fitted for use upon ties constructed of metal or composition. In such cases the tie is provided withslots for the reception of the spurs 7,-

Various modifications of my invention may besuggested to those skilled in the art, but Ireserve the right to make such various changes in the details of arrangement as prevents this relative fall within the scope of the appended claims, I j a Having fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l. A combined tie plate and rail brace provided with members adapted to brace either side of a'rail and having bendable projections adapted to be driven into the sides of a cross-tie. 2. A combined tie plate and rail brace made of a single piece of material and provided with members adapted to brace either side of a rail, and with bendable projections or spurs integral with the plate and adapted to being driveninto either side of a crosstie.

8. A tie single piece of metal, and having a plurality of integrally formed bendable projections adapted to be driven into the sides of a cross-tie.

4:. A combined tie plate and rail brace comprising a plate I provided with braces adapted to engage a rail, and bendable projections adapted tobe driven into the sides plate and'rail brace formed of a of a tie, said projections extending under and partially supporting said rail.

5. The herein described improvement in flange adapted to be .bent downwardly to ens gage a rail, said plate being also provided with a plurality of projections adapted to' 'bedriven into the sides ofa cross-tie.

6. The herein described improvement in combined t1e plates and rail braces, consisting of a plate provided on one side with a an integral fiange-bent'to the contour of and adapted to contact with a; rail, and upon the other side with, an upwardly extending flange adapted to be bent downwardly to engage a rail, said plate being alsoprovided with a plurality of projections adapted to be driven into the sides of a cross-tie, part of said projections extending longitudinally under and being adapted to partially support said rail. I r

7. A combined tie plate and rail brace comprising one integralelement a plate with braces adapted to engage a rail and laterally extending projections at right angles to said braces and extended down wardly and inwardly" to be forcibly driven into the sides of a cross-tie. y

8. A combined tie plate and rail brace comprising one integral element a plate with braces adapted'to engagea. rail and laterally extending projections at right angles to said braces and extended; down= wardly and inwardly to be forcibly driven into the sides of a cross-tie, the inneredges of said projections being extendedinwardly beneath the rail.

I In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OLIVER H; 'COURSON.

NVitnesses: a

EDWARD M. 'LINDsEY, BRUOE IRIOI-IERT.

a 00916! of chi: patent may be obtained for five cents leach, by addressing the Conimiuionere! Patents. Washington, I). (2. 

